European Junior Championships Kick Off In Dordrecht

Gemma Kane was the sole Irish swimmer in finals action on the first day of competition the European Junior Swimming Championships in Dordrecht, Holland.

Kane qualified for the semi-final of the 200m Butterfly in the morning heats with a time of 2:19.66 just off her best of 2:19.17. The 16 year old from Bangor Swim Club went on to smash that time in the semi-final with a new personal best of 2:18.09 and finished 13th overall.

Emma Reid had earlier just missed out on the 200m Butterfly finishing 20th overall in 2:20.68.

Also in action today, Niamh Kilgallen just missed out on a semi-final place in the 50m Breaststroke by .18 of a second finishing in 33.40 seconds. Dearbhail McNamara swam a season's best time of 34.33 in the same event.

James Brown, competing in the 50m Butterfly heats touched in a personal best time of 25.64 while Laoise Fleming (2:23.52) and Danielle Hill (2:21.03) could not progress past the heats in the 200m Backstroke.

Niamh Kilgallen and Dearbhail McNamara are back in the pool tomorrow in the 200m Breaststroke while James Brown will also return with Ben Griffin for the 200m Individual Medley.

Competition continues until Sunday. Press Releases will be issued daily.

Results Day 1:

Dearbhail McNamara 50m Breaststroke 34.33 (27th)
Niamh Kilgallen 50m Breaststroke 33.40 (20th)
James Brown 50m Butterfly 25.64 (37th)
Gemma Kane 200m Butterfly H 2:19.66 (18th) SF 2:18.09 (13th)
Emma Reid 200m Butterfly 2:20.68 (20th)
Laoise Fleming 200m Backstroke 2:23.52 (31st)
Danielle Hill 200m Backstroke 2:21.03 (26th)

Tomorrow's Races:
200m Breaststroke Niamh Kilgallen, Dearbhail McNamara 200m Individual Medley Ben Griffin, James Brown.